Sewefontein – 1878

21 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by Brigid Jackson in compost, Eco Tourism, Flowers, Gardens, South African Endemic

Tags

environment, farm accommodation, Flowers, garden, Namaqualand, Namaqualand Flowers, nature, photography, plants, Sewefontein, South African endemic plant, swimming pools, water fountains

Sewefontein (1878) is a tranquil Old World farm accommodation located in the heart of Namaqualand.

The farm offers seven fresh water fountains, natural swimming pools in the river, hiking trails, waterfall and canyon, Rock Art, wild flowers, rich animal and bird life.
http://www.nieuwoudtville.com/sewefontein/

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Butternut grown from scraps

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by Brigid Jackson in compost, earthworms, Flowers, Gardens, Growing, Organic, Pest control

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

butternut, Cape Porcupine, earthworms, Flowers, food, home grown, organic, plants, pollination, Red Wriggler, vegetable garden, Vegetables from scraps

Butternut

A few months ago I conditioned my Grow Zone with lashings of Worm Compost. As usual I had the normal tomato and Paw Paw seeds spout, which I weeded out, as I had enough already. These sprouts may also be transplanted into more suitable locations, to grow into mature plants. I had this butternut which sprouted and I moved it.It soon started growing lushly. I started to notice that all the female flowers just dropped off. So I when I noticed a female flower open, I would pollinate it from a male flower by hand. I managed to successfully pollinate 2 flowers. This is the result. This butternut weighs in 1,1 kg. I have harvested it a little early because Our resident Cape Porcupine (Mrs Schnoof) is finding it very hard to resist. She is gnawing away at my grow zone.

Chart Farm

28 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by Brigid Jackson in Cape Town, Colours, compost, Flowers, Gardens

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Cape Town Tourism, Farm, Flowers, garden, Grape, lemons, plants, Roses

The entrance Roses

Pretty Pink on the fence

The Hydrangeas

The vegetable garden

The view up to the roses from the resturant

The view up to the roses from the restaurant

Rose plants for sale

Pick your own Roses

Roses for sale

Chart Farm is a wonderful place to visit for breakfast, teas and lunches.

Purchased in 1934, the farm has been in the Garlick family since.

Chart Farm was originally 20 hectares (50 acres), but was reduced to 18 hectares when the current M3 highway was built. The farm currently has approximately 12 hectares of arable land.

The farm produces the following:

Roses (for pick your own)
Compost & mulch
Table grapes
Chestnuts
Lemons
Wine Grapes

Kitty Hawk

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by Brigid Jackson in compost, Flowers, Succulents

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Africa, Cape Town, Epiphyllum, Flowers, garden, green cathedral, Kitty Hawk, orchid cactus, South Africa, Stanford, succulent, The Green Cathedral, Western Cape

Kitty Hawk

I purchased this Orchid Cactus Kitty Hawk from The Green Cathedral some years ago. She has rewarded me every year with a stunning display.

The name ‘Green Cathedral of South Africa’ is derived from a media publication and, until August 1 2011, used as an alias for ‘Soekershof; Private Mazes & Botanical Gardens in South Africa’; located in the tranquil Klaas Voogds area near the small town of Robertson. Since August 2011 Green Cathedral of South Africa resides in Stanford, Western Cape as does a precious collection of plants.

I dedicated this post to Herman Van Bron who is the custodian of the Green Cathedral.

Kitty Hawk

Orchid Cactus http://aristonorganic.com/2013/11/18/orchid-cactus/

Start an Elemental Organic Veggie garden – Workshop in Stanford

27 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by Brigid Jackson in compost, gardening tips, Green tips, Growing, Herbs, Organic, Perennials, Workshops

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

companion planting, compost, garden, Kitchen garden, Local Food Heroes, plant, soil preparation, Vegetable, vegetable garden, workshop

I have been asked by “Your Local Food Heroes” to present a vegetable and herb workshop in Stanford on 16 November.

The workshop will be intensely practical and fun, teaching you how to start and grow your own vegetable garden covering soil preparation, composting, planning your garden, companion planting, seeds and seedlings.